Of trenton



@uiten gtst-re @anni @fnf THOMAS P.' MARSHALL; OF TRENTON, NEW- JERSEY..Letters .Patent No. 72,656, dated December 24, 1867; antedatecl December17, 1867.

STAMP-WBTTING AND PEN-CLEANING INSTRUMENT.

TO ALLV WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, THOMAS P. MARSHALL, of Trenton, New Jersey, haveinvented a YStamp-Viletting and Pen-Cleaning Instrumentand I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to theletters of reference marked thereon.

My invention consists of an instrument, fully descn'bed hereafter, forreadily wetting the gummed surface of stamps, envelopes, or labels, andfor cleaning and drying pens.

In order to enable others to make and use my invention, I will nowproceed to describe its construction and operation, reference beinghadrto the accompanying drawing, which forms `a part of thisspecification, and in which- Figure 1 representsan end view of myinstrument for dampening stamps, envelopes, &c.

Figure 2 a front view, and

Figure 3 a. sectional plan on line 1 2, fig. 2.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A and A are the two side-frames of the instrument, the latter beingseparated into upper and lower portions, a and l?, by an opening, a',referred to hereafter. The frame A is connected to the upper portionaci` the frame A by a rod, e, and to the lower portion by the two rodsff, and between the frame A and the lower portion of the frameA is helda trodgh, D, for containing water, in which a roller, h, and cylindricalsponge or wiper, m, are arranged to revolve, both roller and spongebeing secured to a spindle, d, arranged to turn in the frames, in whichalso turns another spindle, 'ri/,carrying the roller la and sponge m',similar to those below.

Each spindle is furnished with a knob or other suitable handle, n, bythe aid of which the spindle and its appurtenances may be revolved. `ThetroughD is separated into two compartments by-a partition, z', so thatthe water in which the sponge revolves cannot gain access to that in thecompartment in which the cylinder It turns. In the present instance, theupper portions of the two frames have a series of projections, t,between which are recesses u, for holding pens, lite., but it should beunderstood that the form and construction of the frames may be alteredwithout departing from the main features of the invention.

The rollers z and i may be of wood or metal, Awithout any covering,although Ifprefer to cover them with gum-elastic or other like material.The cylinders nl and m may be made of sponge, felt-cloth, plush, orother absorbent material, and may be corrugated, as shown in fig. 2.

4In wetting a postage or other stamp, or gum label, it is held in onehand, gummed side downwards, and directed to the rollers, while one orother of the khobs n is held between the finger andthumb, and itsspindle turned so that the stamp or label passes between the saidrollers, and in-doing this the gum is wetted by contact with the wetsurface of the under roller. The opening a: in the frame A affords auopportunity for introducing the gummed flap of an envelope to, andpassing it be'tween, the two rollers ina manner which will be readilyunderstood without description.

A clogged pen may be ei'ectually cleansed by holding it in contact withthe roller m, while the latter is being turned, the pen beingsubsequently dried by holding it to the surface ofthe upper and dryroller m', and turning the latter.

I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. Thetwo rollers h and i, combined with a trough, D, substantially asdescribed.

2. -The rollers L aud t on spindles, caused to turn in a frame having unopening, sv, through which au envelope or other article can beintroduced to the said rollers, as set forth.

3. The said spindles d and d', each having acylinder made ,of sponge,cloth, or other vabsorbent material,

the cylinders being free from contact with each other, and the lowercylinder 'being arranged to revolvel in a trough containing water, allsubstantially as set forth. e In testimony whereof, I have signedmy'name to this specification in the presencepftwo'subscribingwitnesses;

THOMAS P. MARSHALL. Witnesses:

WM. HALL' WAxLEn, W. J. R. DELANY.

